Improvement in checks for cotton-bales



J. c. RIETHM'ILLER.

CHECK Fon 'COTTON-'mma 'Patented Feb.1,1a7e.

T fz'dl NPETEHS. PHDTOL|THQGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. D CV NITED STATES PATNTOFFICE.

JHNC. RIETHMLLER, OF ALLEGHENY, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT lN/CHECKS FOR COTTON-BALES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. A1725937,.datedFebruary 1, 11376; application filed I To all whom it may concern: l

Beit known that I, JOHN G. RIETHMLLER, of Allegheny, in the county ofAllegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Check or Mark for Cotton-Bales; and I do hereby declarethe following to be a full, clear, and eX- f Y act description thereof,reference being had l to the accompanying drawing, forming vpart of thisspecification, in which- Figure lis a view of a check for cotton-`bales.

Fig. 2 is a view of the check and tie, the locking device removed; andFig. 3 is a central longitudinal section of check, band,`

and locking-device.

Like letters refer to like parts wherever they occur. v

My invention relates to a check or device for marking cotton-bale bands.

In handling and shipping cotton it comf monly happens that the privatemark of the owner or consignce is defaced or obliterated, eitheraccidentally or intentionally, giving rise to much loss and trouble, sothat if practicable it is desirable to employ a check system betweenconsignor .and consignee, and it is furthermore necessary-that the checkshould be so connected to the bale-band that it cannot be fraudulentlyremoved.

With these requisites of a check in view, I have devised a check forcotton-bales, which I will now proceed to specifically describe, so thatothers may make and use the same.

In the drawing, A indicates a bale-band, having a series of slots, a,such as are commonly made in lthe band when: a button, B, l or similarlocking device is employed.

C represents a check, which is provided at one end with a constrictedportion, c, equal to, or less than, the Width of the slots a ofthebale-band,

4so that when the portion c1 of the check has ing with the locking-slotsthrough which,

after the bale has been compressed, the usual November 30, 1875.

button is passed,-the end'of the check being not quite so convenient asparallelfslots for locking the band.

If preferred, both ends of the check may be formed with the constrictedportion or neck c, and the check secured by passing the ends through twoslots instead of securing one end by the locking devices. v

The main features of this invention, it will be observed, are, first,securing the check tothe band by slot and button or equivalentconnections; and, secondly, securing the check .by means of the lockingdevices; so that in either case anytampering with the mark of the balewill be at once apparent. rIhe detailed construction or form hereinspecified is that which I have found best adapted to the object in view.p

I am aware that characters and figures have been made upon the band,andupon thelocking device itself, thus converting the buckle into acheck, and lay no claim to|`such devices;

but,

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, 'and desire to secureby Letters Patent islz In combination with a slotted bale-band and itslocking device, a' check, having a slot which crosses that of thebale-band when the partsr are in position to lock a bale.

2. A check for balebandshaving a cony 4. In combination with the lockingdevice of a bale-band, a check secured or held by the locking device,substantially as and forl the f purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I, `the said JOHN C.

RIETHMLLER, have hereunto set my hand.

- JOHN C. RIETHMULLER. -v Witnesses: i

ALLAN C. BAKEWELL, T. B. KEER.

